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Process Lethality

Passage and implementation of the three Free
Trade Agreements (FTAs) currently pending would
represent an additional $2.3 billion in
meat and poultry exports and the potential
creation of 29,524 new jobs, according
to a white paper released today by the American
Meat Institute (AMI).

“It is clear that the road to both robust
job and economic growth lies in expanding
America’s export markets,” said J. Patrick
Boyle, president and CEO of the American Meat
Institute (AMI). Boyle noted that the trade
expansion deals between the U.S. and South
Korea, Panama and Colombia have been awaiting
Congressional approval for years and the U.S.
is losing market share as a result.
“While the U.S. is waiting to enact
these FTAs, our competitors are moving
forward,” said Boyle

The data reveal that passage of the
agreements could increase U.S. exports of beef
by $1.4 billion, pork by $772 million and
poultry by $102 million. The jobs resulting
from this growth, both in the commodity groups
and downstream, would include an estimated
18,000 jobs in the beef industry, 10,300 jobs
in the pork industry and 1,200 jobs in the
poultry industry. Trade numbers are based on
projections from the respective commodity
groups. Job creation data is based on
employment multiplier projections from USDA’s
Economic Research Service (ERS) and industry
groups which estimate:

• For every $1 billion in beef
exports, 12,700 jobs are created.

• For every $1 billion in pork exports,
13,333 jobs are created.

• For every $1 billion in poultry exports,
11,853 jobs are created.

In 2009, the value of exported meat, poultry
and related products totaled $11.7 billion, up
from $9.4 billion in 2007. According to ERS,
U.S. meat exports are predicted to rise over
the next decade, from 5.9 million metric tons
in 2009 to nearly 7.1 million metric tons in
2019. “However, if we are going to realize
this potential, we need to pass these trade
agreements and move forward on expanding our
export markets as well as exploring new trade
opportunities,” noted Boyle.

“With meat and poultry consumption rising
in many nations around the world as a result of
economic development and population growth, we
have millions of increasingly affluent,
potential customers,” noted Boyle. “But,”
he added, “If the United States is not there
to fill their plates, other major exporting
nations will.”

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The North American Meat Institute (NAMI) is the leading voice for the meat and poultry industry. Formed from the 2015 merger of the American Meat Institute (AMI) and North American Meat Association (NAMA), the Institute has a rich, century-long history and provides essential member services including legislative, regulatory, scientific, international and public affairs representation. NAMI’s mission is to shape a public policy environment in which the meat and poultry industry can produce wholesome products safely, efficiently and profitably. Together, the Institute’s members produce the vast majority of U.S. beef, pork, lamb and poultry and the equipment, ingredients and services needed for the highest quality products.